Contact-making shuttle for self-scoring targets.



M. ST. 0. ELLIS.

CONTACT MAKING SHUTTLE FOR SELF SCORING TARGETS.

APPLIOATION PILEDJULY 17, 1911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

& e S s e n M W COLUMBIA PLANOGRM-H 60., WASHINGTON, n. c.

MARK ST. CLAIR ELLIS, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

CONTACT-MAKING SHUTTLE FOR SELF-SCORING TARGETS.

mamas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 0a. 15,1912.

Application filed July 17, 1911. Serial No. 638,983.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK ST. CLAIR EL- us, a citizen of the United States, residing at the United States Naval Magazine, Mare Island, California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Contact- Making Shuttles for Self-Scoring Targets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in self-scoring targets, and particularly to that form in which the impact of the bullet is made to operate an electrical contact maker and close a circuit when the target has been struck. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which the figure shows a view in elevation of the entire mechanism as assembled and ready for use.

The contact-making striker shown at 5, is normally held against the target 4, upon which the bullet impinges; the spiral spring 6 holds the contact-making striker against this plate under normal conditions, but when the target is hit on the front side the striker leaves the plate and moves back against the action of the weak spring 6, until the rear end of the rod impinges upon the contact fingers 12, thus closing an electrical circuit which actuates an annunciator drop.

The tube 8, is secured to the support plate 2, by the nuts 3; the ferrule 7, is attached to the end of the rod 8, to hold the spring 6, in place. The tube 8, is drawn to a smaller diameter with a smooth outside finish where the brass holder 10, attaches to said tube. Set screw 9, compresses the brass holder against the tube, thus holding the former in place and it admits of movement in and out, so as to adjust the distance between the contact fingers 12, and the end of the rod 5.

14 and 15 are suitable mica insulating washers for insulating the fingers 12, from the rod 5. The support 2, is connected electrically to the common return, and the contact fingers 12, are wired by the individual wire 11.

The insulating washers are held rigidly to the holder 10, by the brass nut 13.

Having thus described the device, its 210-,

tion is as follows: When the target 4, is hit, the rod 5 moves back against the action of the spring 6, and completes the electrical circuit by touching the contact fingers 12. When it is desired to use a small arm of greater or less striking force the movable holder 10, is made to slide in or out, thus requiring the rod to move a greater or less distance in order to complete an electrical circuit. The principal merit of this special construction consists in the ability to easily move the contact fingers 12, on the tube 8, and to provide a tube to protect the striker from the spatter of the bullet.

Having thus described my invention, and the method of its use, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A circuit closer for self scoring targets consisting of the combination of a support, a tube, a spiral spring, a striker, contact fingers, and a holder therefor; said striker normally touching the rear face of the target, said support holding said tube, said tube forming a bearing for said striker and protecting it from the spatter of the bullet; said holder adapted for varying the distance between the rear end of said striker and said contact fingers by movement on said tube; said fingers being insulated from said holder and said support by fiber Washers; said striker adapted to move to the rear when the said target is struck by the bullet to engage said contact fingers and close an electric circuit substantially as shown and described.

MARK ST. CLAIR ELLIS.

Witnesses:

J. H. MARTIN, G. C. LINCOLN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

